Acting Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson is today calling on the Chief Minister to establish a Royal Commission to investigate the broken ACT health system.

Mr Hanson said almost every day there is a new story or crisis in ACT Health and the Labor-Greens government refuses to provide any answers.

“The current situation in ACT Health cannot continue and that is why the Canberra Liberals are calling for a Royal Commission; it is the only way to get real answers and real solutions,” Mr Hanson said.

“It is not good enough for the ACT, the nation’s capital to have the longest emergency department wait times in the country, tens of thousands of Canberrans languishing on surgery waitlists and frontline staff at breaking point due to a poor workplace culture.

“We have seen the Fetal Medicine Unit lose its training accreditation, Cardiologists warning the Minister her system was ‘dangerous’ and the Australia Medical Association highlighting significant failures within the ACT health system.

“After the 2012 election, Labor did a deal with the Greens to retain power and that is when the government started diverting money from the hospital to pay for the tram and the ACT health system has been in decline ever since.”

Mr Hanson said a Royal Commission would look at all areas of the ACT health system including governance, organisation structures, resourcing and effectiveness of Canberra Health Services, ACT Health, Calvary and the Local Hospital Network.

“Just like aged care, Veterans Affairs, and the banking system federally, a Royal Commission can provide a pathway forward.

“It is clear the ACT health system is broken, and this Royal Commission is needed for the patients, the staff doing their best in a broken system and for the future of health care in Canberra.

“The Health Minister and Chief Minister must finally admit the ACT health system is broken and the only way for things to improve the establishment of a Royal Commission,” Mr Hanson concluded.